Special Senses Quiz

Question 1

Olfactory nerves pass from the olfactory epithelium to the olfactory bulbs through the
	A)	external auditory meatus.
	B)	cribriform plate.
	C)	nasolacrimal duct.
	D)	mastoid sinus.
	E)	olfactory tract.

Answer 1

) cribriform plate.The Olfactory nerves pass from the olfactory epithelium to the olfactory bulbs through the cribriform plate.

Question 2

Sensory receptors for smell are
	A)	chemoreceptors.
	B)	mechanoreceptors.
	C)	nociceptors.
	D)	photoreceptors.
	E)	thermoreceptors.

Answer 2

) chemoreceptors.

Correct Answer: Sensory receptors for smell are chemoreceptors.

Question 3

The \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is responsible for visceral and emotional reactions to odors and has connections to the limbic system.
	A)	intermediate olfactory area
	B)	lateral olfactory area
	C)	medial olfactory area
	D)	olfactory bulb

Answer 3

medial olfactory area
The medial olfactory area is responsible for visceral and emotional reactions to odors and has connections to the limbic system. The lateral olfactory area is involved in the conscious perception of smell.

Question 4

Olfactory neurons
A) are always unipolar neurons.
B) are replaced every two months.
C) have axons that contain olfactory vesicles.
D) synapse directly with association neurons.
E) all of these

Answer 4

B) are replaced every two months.Answer: Olfactory neurons synapse with mitral cells or tufted cells, both of which then relay olfactory information to the brain through olfactory tracts and synapse with association neurons.

Question 5

Taste buds are associated with all of these types of papillae on the tongue EXCEPT
	A)	circumvallate.
	B)	filiform.
	C)	foliate.
	D)	fungiform.

Answer 5

) filiform.
Taste buds are associated with circumvallate, foliate, and fungiform papillae, but not with filiform papillae. The filiform papillae are the most numerous of the papillae, but they do not contain taste buds.

Question 6

Which of these is not considered one of the five primary tastes?
	A)	sweet
	B)	salty
	C)	minty
	D)	sour
	E)	bitter

Answer 6

Of the tastes listed, only minty is not considered one of the five primary tastes.

Question 7

Taste information is relayed to the tractus solitarius of the medulla oblongata by
	A)	cranial nerve VII (Facial).
	B)	cranial nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal).
	C)	cranial nerve V (Trigeminal).
	D)	all of the above

Answer 7

all of the aboveTaste information is relayed to the tractus solitarius by cranial nerve VII, cranial nerve IX, and by cranial nerve V

Question 8

The angles where the eyelids join at the medial and lateral margins of the eye are called
	A)	canthi.
	B)	caruncles.
	C)	palpebral fissures.
	D)	ciliary glands.
	E)	tarsal plates.

Answer 8

canthi The canthi are the angles where the eyelids join at the medial and lateral margins of the eye. Ciliary glands are the modified sweat glands that open into the follicles of the eyelashes, keeping them lubricated.

Question 9

Given these structures:

1. lacrimal canaliculi
2. lacrimal ducts
3. lacrimal sac
4. nasolacrimal duct
5. puncta

List the structures in the correct order that tears would flow through them after being produced in the lacrimal gland.
	A)	1,2,3,4,5
	B)	2,5,1,3,4
	C)	3,1,4,2,5
	D)	4,5,1,2,3
	E)	5,1,3,4,2

Answer 9

The order of structures that tears would flow through after being produced is: 2,5,1,3,4.

Question 10

The order of structures that tears would flow through after being produced is: 2,5,1,3,4.

Answer 10

The fibrous tunic of the eye includes the cornea and the sclera.

Question 11

Which of these muscles is innervated by sympathetic fibers?
	A)	ciliary muscles
	B)	dilator pupillae muscles
	C)	extrinsic eye muscles
	D)	sphincter pupillae muscles

Answer 11

dilator pupillae muscles

he dilator pupillae muscles are innervated by sympathetic fibers. The ciliary muscles are innervated by parasympathetic fibers from cranial nerve III (oculomotor).

Question 12

Physical characteristics of the cornea include each of the following EXCEPT
A) outer surface consisting of stratified squamous epithelium.
B) fewer large collagen fibers and more proteoglycans than the sclera.
C) inner surface consisting of simple squamous epithelium.
D) highly vascular structure, functioning as part of the focusing system of the eye.

Answer 12

highly vascular structure, functioning as part of the focusing system of the eye.
Feedback:: The cornea does have fewer large collagen fibers and more proteoglycans and than the sclera, and is therefore clear rather than white.

Question 13

Which of these parts of the eye normally NEVER has melanin present?
	A)	choroid
	B)	ciliary body
	C)	iris
	D)	retina
	E)	vitreous humor

Answer 13

vitreous humor

Feedback: Correct Answer: The vitreous humor of the eye does not contain pigment.

Question 14

e blind spot of the eye is the
	A)	anterior chamber.
	B)	ciliary body.
	C)	fovea centralis.
	D)	macula lutea.
	E)	optic disc.

Answer 14

he blind spot of the eye is the optic disc, the location through which blood vessels enter the eye and where nerve processes from the sensory retina meet and ultimately exit as the optic nerve.

Question 15

Aqueous humor
A) is found in the anterior compartment of the eye.
B) is produced by the ciliary processes.
C) helps maintain intraocular pressure.
D) provides nutrition for the cornea and lens.
E) all of these

Answer 15

) all of these
Feedback: Answer: The aqueous humor is found in the anterior compartment of the eye, is produced by the ciliary processes, helps maintain intraocular pressure, and provides nutrition for the cornea and lens.

Question 16

In the electromagnetic spectrum, which of these forms of electromagnetic energy has the longest wavelength?
	A)	gamma rays
	B)	infrared
	C)	UV light
	D)	visible light
	E)	X-rays

Answer 16

infrared

Question 17

Of these colors of the visible spectrum, which has the longest wavelength?
	A)	blue
	B)	green
	C)	purple
	D)	red
	E)	yellow

Answer 17

Red has the longest wavelength.

Question 18

Refraction
A) occurs when light encounters an object that is not transparent.
B) occurs when light travels through a dense medium, such as water.
C) occurs when light travels from one transparent medium to another.
D) is responsible for the color of objects we see.

Answer 18

20 feet or more from the eye.
Feedback: Correct Answer: Emmetropia is the state of refraction in which parallel rays are focused exactly on the retina, no accommodation is necessary, and occurs when viewing objects 20 feet or more from the eye.

Question 19

Which of these processes occurs when viewing a nearby object (i.e., an object you are holding in your hand)?
	A)	accommodation
	B)	dilation of the pupils
	C)	divergence of the eyes
	D)	all of these

Answer 19

) dilation of the pupilsAccommodation, the contraction of the ciliary muscles resulting in the lens becoming more spherical (a more convex surface), occurs when viewing a nearby object. Constriction of the pupils, not dilation, occurs when viewing a nearby object to allow a greater depth of focus.

Question 20

The greatest amount of refraction in the eye occurs when light enters the
	A)	aqueous humor.
	B)	cornea.
	C)	lens.
	D)	pupil.
	E)	vitreous humor.

Answer 20

The greatest amount of refraction in the eye occurs when light enters the cornea

Question 21

When ciliary muscles contract,
A) tension is increased on the suspensory ligaments.
B) the choroid is pulled toward the lens.
C) the lens gets flatter.
D) the focal point moves closer to the lens.
E) all of these

Answer 21

When ciliary muscles contract, the choroid is pulled towards the lens, and as a result, tension is decreased on the suspensory ligaments.

Question 22

Given these layers of neurons in the sensory retina:

1. bipolar layer
2. ganglionic layer
3. photoreceptor layer

List these layers in the correct order they are encountered as light passes from the vitreous humor through the sensory retina.
	A)	1,2,3
	B)	1,3,2
	C)	2,1,3
	D)	2,3,1
	E)	3,1,2

Answer 22

The sequence of layers encountered by light as it passes from the vitreous humor through the sensory retina is: 2,1,3.

Question 23

Rod cells are \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ neurons, and cone cells are \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ neurons.
	A)	bipolar, bipolar
	B)	bipolar, unipolar
	C)	unipolar, bipolar
	D)	unipolar, unipolar

Answer 23

bipolar, bipolar

Question 24

When light strikes a photoreceptor cell, Na+ ion channels \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ , so \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Na+ ions enter the cell, and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ glutamate is released from the cell. As a result, the postsynaptic bipolar cell \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ .
	A)	open, more, more, hyperpolarizes
	B)	open, more, less, depolarizes
	C)	open, fewer, more, hyperpolarizes
	D)	close, fewer, more, hyperpolarizes
	E)	close, fewer, less, depolarizes

Answer 24

close, fewer, less, depolarizes
Feedback: Incorrect Answer: When light strikes a photoreceptor cell, Na+ ion channels close, so fewer Na+ ions enter the cell, and less glutamate is released from the cell. As a result, the postsynaptic bipolar cell depolarizes.

Question 25

During dark adaptation,
	A)	the amount of rhodopsin decreases.
	B)	the pupils dilate.
	C)	a smaller amount of time is required than for light adaptation.
	D)	mostly cones are involved.
	E)	all of these

Answer 25

the pupils dilate.

Answer: During dark adaptation the amount of rhodopsin increases.

Question 26

Cone cells
A) contain the photoreceptive molecule rhodopsin.
B) are abundant throughout the retina, but are absent at the fovea centralis.
C) function in color vision and visual acuity.
D) contain a photoreceptive part that is cylindrical in shape.
E) function primarily in low light conditions.

Answer 26

function in color vision and visual acuity.

Answer: Cones contain the photoreceptive molecule iodopsin.

Question 27

Given these parts of the retina:

1. bipolar cells
2. ganglion cells
3. optic disc
4. optic nerve
5. photoreceptor cells

List the parts in the order an action potential travels through them after light strikes the retina.
	A)	1,2,5,3,4
	B)	2,1,5,4,3
	C)	3,2,1,4,5
	D)	5,2,1,3,4
	E)	5,1,2,3,4

Answer 27

5,1,2,3,4

Question 28

xons from the nasal retina project to the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ side of the brain; axons from the temporal retina project to the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ side of the brain.
	A)	same, same
	B)	same, opposite
	C)	opposite, same
	D)	opposite, opposite

Answer 28

) opposite, same

Axons from the nasal retina project to the opposite side of the brain; axons from the temporal retina project to the same side of the brain.

Question 29

Damage to the optic chiasm may result in
A) blindness in the right eye.
B) blindness in the left eye.
C) visual loss of the temporal half of each eye field.

Answer 29

C) visual loss of the temporal half of each eye field.
Feedback: Correct Answer: Because damage at the optic chiasm may involve only the fibers that are crossing over to the opposite side, and these fibers originate at the nasal side of each retina, visual loss would involve the temporal half of each eye field (tunnel vision).

Question 30

he condition that occurs if the eyeball is too long, or if the cornea or lens is optically too strong is called
	A)	astigmatism.
	B)	hyperopia.
	C)	myopia.
	D)	presbyopia.
	E)	strabismus

Answer 30

) myopia.

: Myopia is the condition that occurs if the eyeball is too long or if the cornea or lens is optically too strong. Hyperopia is farsightedness that occurs when the cornea and lens system is optically too weak or the eyeball is too short. The images are focused behind the retina.

Question 31

All of the following structures are found in the middle ear EXCEPT
	A)	malleus, incus, and stapes.
	B)	tensor tympani muscle.
	C)	stapedius muscle.
	D)	auditory (Eustachian) tube.
	E)	cochlea.

Answer 31

E) cochlea.
Feedback: Incorrect Answer: The stapedius muscle is found in the middle ear, and functions to dampen excessively loud sounds.

Question 32

Which of these structures contains perilymph?
	A)	cochlear duct
	B)	utricle
	C)	semicircular canals
	D)	scala vestibuli
	E)	all of these

Answer 32

scala vestibuli
Of the structures listed, only the scala vestibuli contains perilymph. The cochlear duct, utricle, and semicircular canals all contain endolymph.

Question 33

Given these parts of the inner ear:

1. oval window
2. round window
3. scala tympani
4. scala vestibuli
5. helicotrema

List the correct order in which vibrations travel through the cochlea when the stapes is vibrated.
	A)	1,2,3,4,5
	B)	1,4,5,3,2
	C)	2,4,5,3,1
	D)	3,2,4,5,1
	E)	4,2,3,1,5

Answer 33

The sequence of structures through which vibrations travel is: 1,4,5,3,2.

Question 34

When pressure waves distort the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ membrane, hair cells that rest on it are moved relative to the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ membrane, which is stationary. As a result, hair cells become bent, resulting in depolarization.
	A)	basilar, tectorial
	B)	basilar, vestibular
	C)	tectorial, basilar
	D)	tectorial, vestibular
	E)	vestibular, tectorial

Answer 34

basilar, tectorial

When pressure waves distort the basilar membrane, hair cells that rest on it are moved relative to the tectorial membrane, which is stationary. As a result, hair cells become bent, resulting in depolarization.

Question 35

High pitched sound
A) causes the displacement of the basilar membrane near the oval window.
B) causes the displacement of the basilar membrane some distance from the oval window.
C) does not cause the displacement of the basilar membrane.

Answer 35

causes the displacement of the basilar membrane near the oval window.

Question 36

Damage to sensory structures in the semicircular canals primarily affects the ability to detect
A) linear acceleration.
B) movement of the head in all directions.
C) the position of the head relative to the ground.
D) the position of the limbs.
E) all of these

Answer 36

movement of the head in all directions.

Only choice B is correct; damage to sensory structures in the semicircular canals primarily affects the ability to detect the movement of the head in all directions.

Question 37

The specialized receptor structure found in the utricle and saccule is the
	A)	macula.
	B)	crista ampullaris.
	C)	organ of Corti.
	D)	cupula.
	E)	helicotrema.

Answer 37

macula.
The macula is the specialized receptor structure found in the utricle and saccule. The crista ampullaris is the specialized sensory epithelium found in the ampulla of each semicircular canal.

Question 38

In the ampulla of each semicircular canal there is specialized sensory epithelium called the
	A)	macula.
	B)	crista ampullaris.
	C)	organ of Corti.
	D)	cupula.
	E)	helicotrema.

Answer 38

crista ampullaris.

The crista ampullaris is the specialized sensory epithelium found in the ampulla of each semicircular canal.

Question 39

The effects of aging on the special senses may include
A) a decreased sense of taste.
B) decreased flexibility of the lens of the eye.
C) decreased number of cone cells.
D) decreased numbers of hair cells in the cochlea.
E) all of the above

Answer 39

E) all of the above
Feedback: Correct Answer: The effects of aging on the special senses may include a decreased sense of taste, decreased flexibility of the lens of the eye, decreased numbers of cone cells, and a decreased number of hair cells in the cochlea.